Thursday, 12 April 2012

Farewell to Jizan and welcome to the updated list

There have been two birds which have defied full identification since I got back from Jizan 5 days ago. Both were seen in open woodland part way up wadi ar Rayth, 100 kilometres north east of Jizan.

probable Isabelline wheatear

Both birds have been shown to friends and experienced birders as well as posting on the bird identification page of BirdForum. The above bird has been variously called including a hippolais warbler and female hooded wheatear. The most consistent answer has been Isabelline wheatear. However no true consensus has been reached.

unknown chat

The second bird was seen very close to the first one in the same semi-wooded area. This has proved even more problematic than the first. Although it looks superficially like a blackstart this is seen as unlikely as it seems to have a dark bib. I personally support the view of one of the region's experts who thinks it is a young wheatear of some sort.

second view of unknown chat

I have expended enough time and energy on these birds and have reluctantly decided I can live without knowing! Furthermore, I have just returned from birding my local patch at Al Hayer near Riyadh where the passage plus last night's rain have made for some very interesting birding today. I'll start blogging about them tomorrow.

In the meantime he is the definitive list from last weekend. S means it's the first time on my Saudi list while L means its a lifer for me.

List of birds seen during the weekend of April 5th/6th in Jizan province